As we proudly celebrate the 101st anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, we commemorate the resolute leader of the Turkish independence movement and its first President, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and praise his generative vision and determination that gave place to Türkiye’s advancement as a model of an independent, sovereign, democratic, and secular state, providing basis for individual and societal progress while embracing the Turkish nation’s cultural heritage.

The Republic Day symbolizes the monumental achievements of our forefathers in giving the Turkish nation the foundation upon which to build and it is a day of celebration as well as one of introspection.

On this important day, the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) invites you to reflect upon Atatürk’s legacy and achievements, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can exist and live freely.

This year, in remembrance of the lives lost in the devastation 2023 earthquake, The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) and Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF) are partnering with the Çeşme Agricultural Development Cooperative and Payda Association to launch the Çeşme-Hatay Mastic Tree Bridge Project.

This project to plant 101 mastic trees is about more than just environmental restoration. It’s about revitalizing Hatay — a region devastated by the February 6th earthquakes — and creating opportunities for sustainable economic development. By establishing Hatay as a new hub for mastic tree cultivation, we’re offering the community and the environment a way of healing to rebuild livelihoods through education, sustainable agriculture, and tourism.

ATAA as the umbrella organization in North America would like to invite our entire North American Turkish American Community to join us in celebrating our 101st Republic Day of Türkiye and help us to make a long-lasting difference in this region as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk showed us to do.

Sincerely,